John Kowalski (Sock Master) has created an awesome interactive retro controller family tree which takes us from Atari 2600 and Intellivision to PS3 and Wii controllers. Click on the pictures in the tree and you will find out key information about each controller – for example, the Atari 2600 controller was first released in 1977 and was sold until about 1991! While the WaveBird is notable for being the first wireless first-party controller.
As Sock Master describes:
‘I’ve put together a chart, or controller family-tree, that tries to connect all the current console controllers with their predecessors… a lot of the information presented here is my opinion. I try to keep things accurate, using facts that I know, but also making some of my own conclusions where no hard evidence is available…
There are still a number of gaps in the family tree, as a lot of controllers are still missing from the chart. Eventually, I will try to fill in some of the holes. Current things that are missing are controllers I couldn’t get my hands on, controllers from less popular consoles, and most of the 8-bit era.’
Sock Master’s Interactive Retro Controller Family Tree
Source: Sock Master via Geekologie
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ms. ausretrogamer
Editor and Researcher at ausretrogamer – The Australian Retro Gamer E-Zine. Lover of science fiction, fashion, books, movies and TV. Player of games, old and new.
Follow Ms. ausretrogamer on Twitter
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: Video Games Memorabilia Museum (Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Ms Pac-Man)
Image source: Video Games Memorabilia Museum
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: Numista
Image source: 
Image source: 
Image source: New Zealand Mint via Geekologie
Image source: Amazon (Alliance & Horde)
Image source: 
Source: Stupid Fingers via Geekologie
Source: Stupid Fingers Nintoaster, Stupid Fingers Nintoaster II
Source: Spinning Hat via Bit Rebels
Source: 
Source: Deviant Art – My Burning Eyes via 
Source: Via 
Source: 
Source: 
Source: 
